• lnstitut fur Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH

Optical Power Splitters

A new waveguide design was used by the Institut fur Mikrotechnik Mainz to realise an optical single-mode Y-splitter. The design allows for shorter optical path lengths and less insertion loss. The problem of absorption at 1.3 and 1.55 5m is therefore reduced. Utilising the LIGA technology, large numbers of these splatters can be embossed in transparent plastic materials. After combination with UVcurable core resin, the moulded parts provide both high accuracy waveguides and the possibility of passive fibre assembly. A uniformity of 0.7 dB and an insertion loss less than 2dB make these splatters interesting for use in fibre networks. The technique of passive fibre chip coupling can be transferred to other types of fibre-optical components too.